Author: Benedict Mcdaniel

Chinese automotive technology company ECARX has announced a strategic partnership with Victory Giant Technology to jointly develop next-generation automotive computing platforms, the companies said on October 22. The collaboration will merge Victory Giant’s expertise in high-precision printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing with ECARX’s intelligent computing ecosystem to accelerate the global deployment of advanced automotive technologies. See also: Volkswagen in Talks with Ecarx to Integrate Digital Cockpit Technologies  Victory Giant Technology is a leading manufacturer of high-density interconnect and multilayer boards used across industries including smart vehicles, artificial intelligence, and data centers. With production facilities in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, the…

Rivian’s micromobility spinoff Also has unveiled a new line of four-wheeled, pedal-assist electric quads designed for both commercial and consumer use, signaling a push into the growing small electric vehicle segment. The new platform, called TM-Q, features sleek, tech-forward designs intended for bike lanes rather than congested streets. The commercial TM-Q is aimed at delivery fleets operating in dense urban areas, where full-size vans are less practical. Also said the model is optimized for throughput, operational cost efficiency, and nimble handling in tight city spaces. See also: Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe Takes on Interim Marketing Role Amid Company Restructuring and…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that production of the Cybercab, the company’s fully autonomous vehicle, is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, according to statements made during Tesla’s Q3 2025 earnings call on Wednesday. The Cybercab, first unveiled in October 2024 at the ‘We, Robot’ event in Hollywood, will be produced without a steering wheel or pedals, confirming that the initial production model will exclude traditional driving controls. See also: Tesla Developing Wheelchair-Accessible Robotaxi to Expand Inclusive Mobility “At this point I feel 100% confident that we can sell unsupervised full self-driving at a safety level…

France and Spain have reaffirmed their commitment to the European Union’s 2035 zero-emission target for new cars, rejecting pressure from Germany, Italy and parts of the auto industry to delay or weaken the phase-out of internal combustion engines. Both governments said Europe’s automotive future must remain focused on electrification. In a joint paper presented to EU climate ministers in Luxembourg and disclosed by French media, Paris and Madrid said the upcoming review of CO₂ standards should “preserve the 2035 cap and the environmental ambition of the CO₂ emissions trajectory that underpins it.” The document described the target as “a central…

Kia Motor plans to significantly increase electric vehicle production in Europe over the next two years, driven by the launch of its new EV2 and EV4 models. The automaker expects combined annual output of the two vehicles to reach around 200,000 units globally by 2027. The EV2, Kia’s smallest and most affordable electric car, will be produced at the company’s Zilina plant in Slovakia, with an expected annual output of approximately 100,000 units. Kia describes the EV2 as designed to “redefine urban electric mobility” with a flexible interior and updated connectivity features. See also: Kia Europe Tests Cell-Level Battery Passport…

AM General, Carnegie Robotics, and Textron Systems have announced a joint effort to develop a modular unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for the U.S. Army, designed to enhance logistics, mobility, and energy support on the battlefield. The vehicle will be developed under the Army’s Medium Modular Equipment Transport Trailer (M-MET) program, which seeks to close logistics gaps by autonomously delivering supplies and operational energy to forward units. The platform is expected to provide over 30 kW of exportable power while transporting critical supplies, and will be based on the HUMVEE chassis with a modernized powertrain and suspension. See also: Applied Intuition…

Kindred Motorworks has introduced its proprietary Grayback Electric Vehicle Platform (EVP), an in-house developed system designed to enable advanced electric conversions of classic vehicles. The platform makes its debut in the company’s first customer delivery of the Kindred EV Bronco Edition and will serve as the foundation for all future Kindred electric models. Developed over five years through a multimillion-dollar engineering program, the Grayback EVP integrates a range of proprietary and off-the-shelf components to manage core vehicle functions such as heating, cooling, battery management, and charging. The system’s name pays tribute to the USS Grayback submarine, built at Mare Island…

Nissan Motor is in discussions with Ford Motor and Stellantis about jointly developing an electrified version of its Rogue SUV, as the Japanese automaker seeks new partners following the collapse of its earlier tie-up with Honda, two people familiar with the matter told Automotive News. The talks reportedly center on a hybrid Rogue using Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER system, a technology that combines a small gasoline engine to charge the battery with an electric motor to drive the vehicle. The system, introduced earlier this year, is said to deliver 15% better highway fuel efficiency and lower emissions than its predecessor while…

Cornish Lithium has secured new equity investment backed by the UK’s National Wealth Fund (NWF) and existing partner TechMet, providing a boost to its efforts to advance two major lithium projects in Cornwall towards commercial production. The funding aims to strengthen the UK’s position in the global battery materials supply chain, supporting its transition to a net-zero economy. The company plans to direct the capital towards its Trevalour Lithium Project, where it operates a £15 million demonstration plant producing lithium hydroxide from granite extracted from an old clay pit. The funds will help complete a feasibility study and refine the…

German mechanical and plant engineering specialist Dürr announced that its new dry coating technology for battery electrodes, X.Cellify DC, is now ready for industrial pilot projects. The company says the method significantly reduces active material waste and could transform how lithium-ion and future solid-state batteries are produced. The X.Cellify DC process eliminates the need for solvents and drying ovens by using a dry powder mixture to create electrodes. This powder is pressed into a self-supporting film using the Activated Dry Electrode process developed by Dürr’s partner, LiCAP Technologies. The process covers all steps — from dosing and film formation to…

Nissan is reportedly exploring the possibility of launching a new LEAF NISMO, this time based on the recently upgraded 2026 LEAF. The automaker has previously discussed similar plans, though no production version of the performance-focused electric hatchback has yet materialized. According to Carscoops, Nissan executives noted that the NISMO sub-brand varies by region, with Japan serving as the strongest market for its electric performance lineup, including the Ariya NISMO SUV. See also: Nissan to Drop Ariya EV in U.S. for 2026, Shifts Focus to New Leaf Amid Market Pressures In contrast, the U.S. market has traditionally emphasized performance models such…

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 23.2% of all new car registrations in the United Kingdom in September, with just under 70,000 units sold, marking the second-highest monthly total on record, according to data from New AutoMotive. The figures show that BEVs remain ahead of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate trajectory, with a year-to-date share of 22.16% compared with the required 21.76% once CO₂ credits are included. New AutoMotive said this indicates manufacturers are generating surplus credits, helping to keep compliance costs down. See also: One in Three UK Drivers Ready to Switch to EVs, Renault-Backed Study Shows The…